Poranthera Rudge

8 species endemic Aust.; all states and territories except S.A.

Monoecious herbs or small shrubs. Leaves spirally arranged or sometimes opposite, entire; stipules present. Male and female flowers intermingled in very short dense racemes almost contracted into heads and forming a leafy terminal corymb. Sepals 5. Petals 5, white. Male flower with 5 stamens alternating with petals, and a rudimentary ovary. Female flower without stamens; ovary 3-locular, 6-lobed, with 2 ovules per loculus; styles 3, 2-fid almost to base.